The Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) program offers the Bachelor of Science degree. Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) is a broad discipline that addresses the engineering of large, complex systems and the integration of the many subsystems that comprise the larger system. The program integrates Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs with other Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) programs such as Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Political Science, Business Management, and Communication Arts and Sciences, and others, to prepare students for future large prospective and complex system sustainable development challenges.
The SSE Program focuses on the interactions of engineering, society and ecological systems. Specifically, students in the program study the relationship of engineering to economic development, environmental impact, social structure, and the sustainability of natural resources. Students examine how engineering activities influence human well-being as a whole, complex system. The program provides students with knowledge and methods to analyze and solve sustainable development problems. The program description of the Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) is: apply a holistic and systemic approach to solving problems and move beyond the tradition of breaking designs down into disconnected parts.
Sustainable development is considered to be one of the fundamental criteria for engineering practices. Engineers are required to play a leading role in planning, designing, building, manufacturing, and ensuring a sustainable future. The SSE program will prepare our graduates in a better position in pursuing graduate studies or engineering licensure after graduating from MSU Denver. In addition, the graduates will be able to join the workforce as sustainable system engineers, who are expected to work on or lead projects requiring a systemic and interdisciplinary approach to prevent the mismatch between a sophistication of individual discipline decisions and complex situations.
The educational approach incorporates fundamental engineering theories, laboratory works, communications and social science to establish essential sustainable systems concepts. The engineering core component will provide solid training on the majority of the subjects required by Fundamental Engineering (FE) exam.
Students are encouraged to enroll in an internship/cooperative education program through the University’s Applied Learning Center to gain valuable work experience.
Students majoring in Sustainable Systems Engineering must meet the following curriculum and are required to complete all general study courses, program pre-requisite courses and core courses with a grade required for graduation. Technical elective courses must be approved by the program coordinator or department chair. Students who are considering a major in Sustainable Systems Engineering are expected to consult with SSE faculty for advising. Students should note that programs differ in that a minimum grade of “C” or better is required.
Under the revised rules and regulations of the Colorado State Board for Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, students within 30 semester hours of graduation may take the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination.
Program Requirements
- Any course identified in the SSE major core must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
- SSE majors must comply with all University General Studies requirements.
- This is an extended major, therefore a minor is not required to fulfill degree requirements.
- The students may refer to program flowchart or consult with an advisor for degree planning.
General Studies Requirements
Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (4 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)*
Historical (3 credits)*
Natural and Physical Sciences (10 credits) (This is in excess of GS requirements)
Social and Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits)
Global Diversity (3 credits)
- The department recommends that this requirement be met along with the Arts & Humanities, Historical, or Social & Behavioral Sciences general studies choices. See the General Studies section of the catalog for approved courses.
General Studies Total Minimum: 38 credits
Multicultural Requirement
The department recommends that this requirement be met along with the Arts & Humanities, Historical, or Social & Behavioral Sciences general studies choices. See the Multicultural section of the catalog for approved courses.
Multicultural Total: 0 to 3 credits
